Automatic-release coupling.



T. s. DOWNH AM. AUTOMATIC RELEASE COUPLING. APPLICATION FILED OCT- 9. 191

Patented June 25, 1918.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS SIDLEY DOWNHAM, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

AUTOMATIC-RELEASE COUPLING.

Application filed October 9, 1917.

To all whom it may concern.-

' Be it known that I, THOMAS SIDLEY DOWNHAM, of the city of Toronto, county of York, Province of Ontario, Canada, a subject of the King of Great Britain, have invented certain new and useful Improve-- ments in Automatic-Release Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic-release couplers, and the object of my invention is to construct a coupler which will be actuated by a predetermined load to automatically uncouple or release two bodies or elements coupled together thereby so as to prevent breakage of either or both of said bodies or elements, as hereinafter more particularly set forth.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical central section through the casing of an automatic release coupler within my invention, the draw-bar and other parts being shown in side elevation. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, like characters of reference refer to the same parts.

While my device may be used in various fields, I have primarily designed it to be used in coupling the source of moving power of an agricultural implement, therewith, especially a plow. From actual experience, I have found that there is no commercial device having the range of movement of mine whereby, when a plow, for example, strikes a rock firmly embedded in the ground, the horse or tractor will be uncoupled therefrom to prevent damage. Frequently valuable horses have been sprained during plowing from the cause mentioned, and it frequently happens that the plow point is broken. It is therefore also an object of my invention to prevent the breakage .of a plow against fixed stones or rocks during plowing.

Through the use of my invention, there will be no sudden jar to oppose the propelling or moving means for the implement, and therefore it will be understood that particularly in the case of horses, there will be no danger of hurting them.

The preferred form of coupler within my invention is constructed substantially as follows: A is a coupling element specifically termed the draw-bar casing, cored out to provide the bore B, the desired length of which is enlarged so as to form a chamber 0. Mounted to operate in the bore B and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 25, 1918.

Serial No. 195,654.

chamber 0, is a coupling element specifically termed a draw-bar D, which is reduced in diameter to form a bed E for the latch-hook F. The said latch-hook is composed of an arm G to provide the necessary leverage, and the bill I). This arm is pivoted between the pair of lugs H secured to or formed a part of the draw-bar D, by means of the pin a, which is removably held in place by any suitable means. The arm G is spaced apart from the shoulder I of the draw-bar D so as to provide a space or opening J in which is mounted the couplingelement (not shown), whereby the coupler is coupled to an object. Secured to or formed a part of the'draw-bar casing is a lug 2 provided with an eye 3. By means of the lug 2 and its eye, the coupling means (not shown), of the source of moving power for the object, is coupled to said coupler.

Co-acting with the portion of the drawbar D within the chamber C of the easing A, is an elastic element which will yield as movement occurs of said casing and draw-bar D, under given conditions. Obviously, the said elastic element will resist displacement to prevent premature uncoupling. In other words: lVhen a plow is operating through soil free of obstructions of the nature specified, the same will be kept coupled to its source of movement. The preferred form of elastic element is a coiled spring 4. mounted around the portion of the draw-bar D operating in the chamber C. One end of this spring abuts against the wall 5 of said chamber, and the other end of the spring abuts against the nut 6 co-acting with the thread 7 formed in said draw-bar D. When suflicient power is exerted in opposite directions against the draw-barD and casingAto move the end of the bill 6, beyond the casing A, the latch-hook F is moved around its pin a, and uncoupling occurs.

The space or opening J and the eye 3 are so positioned that the median-line 9 will pass centrally therothrough.

The draw-bar casing A is provided with an opening 10 to allow for ready access to the chamber C. 11 is a plate suitably and removably secured to the casing A to close the opening 10 to prevent dirt enterin the chamber C. In this chamber will be p aced grease to provide necessary lubrication.

A pack-ring 12 is positioned as shown so as to prevent wastage of rease from the chamber C. A further pack-ring 13 is also provided so as to prevent the entry of gritty material into the casing A by the latch-hook F. Of course any suitable construction may be employed to pack the coupling element or draw-bar D.

By reason of the nut 6, any tension on the specific form of elastic element 4: can be se cured. The said nut is retained on the draw-bar D by any suitable means such as a Washer 1 In the preferred formof the device, it Will .be clearly seen that by reason of mounting the draw-bar D in the bore B, axial movement may be freely had by these parts.

After uncoupling occurs, to again position the coupling element, (not shown) in the opening or space J, and to replace the bill 2) Within the casing A, it Will be necessary to remove the pin 0;, which Will be understood Without further elaboration.

Claims: I I

1. An automatic-release coupler comprising a cored draw-bar casing having an open ing in one side andprovided Withcoupling means at one end thereof; a draw-bar mounted to operate Within said casing and projecting beyond one end thereof; a latchmechanism pivoted to the exposed end of Copies of this patent may be obtained for 2. An automatic-release coupler compris-- ing a cored draw-bar casing having an openmg 111 one slde and'provided with coupling means at one end, thereof; a draw-bar mounted to operate Within said casing and projecting beyond one end thereof; a latchhook comprising an arm and a bill; a pin whereby said arm is pivoted to the exposed end of said draw-bar so as to be spaced apart from a portion of said draw-bar to provide a space for 'a coupling element; the said bill designed to normally extend into said casing and rest upon said draw-bar; a coiled spring mounted on the inner end of said draw-bar and designed to rest at one end internally against said casing, and means mounted on the inner end of said draw-bar to adjust tension of said spring.

THOMAS SIDLEY DOWNHAM.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0. 

